DEAR EDITOR:

I agree with Mahoning County Commissioner candidate Geno Difabio’s comments on being overtaxed.

I voted “No” on the tax renewal. This is not a knee-jerk reaction. It’s irresponsible for the commissioners to continue funding oversized government.

We can do without the Western Reserve Port Authority, Regional Chamber of Commerce, NE Ohio Development and Finance Authority, Mahoning Valley Economic Development Corp. and the Eastgate Regional Council of Government. In my opinion, these politically appointed dolt paper-shuffling, white-collar panhandlers are pursuing personal enrichment. They fabricate absurd studies to obtain grant money and pickpocket private investors.

This fact came to reality in a Feb. 19 Channel 27 TV interview. Justin Murdock of the Eastgate Regional Council of Government explained applying for a $1 million grant to study the removal of the Madison Avenue freeway. He said the freeway is underutilized and should be filled in to connect the neighborhoods. The grant study will make this determination and a way of being a good steward of the taxpayer.

I disagree with this. You are not removing a freeway that was part of a 10-year construction project. Many city residents relinquished their homes. Long bridges had to be constructed. Large quantities of dynamite were used to blast loose the dense rock in the section between Covington and Wick avenues. The freeway allows city police, fire and EMS to rapidly respond to emergency calls, and saves time and fuel for commuters to YSU, Stambaugh Auditorium and St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital.

I suggest Murdock apply for a safety sign grant. The freeway lacks the required yellow advisory exit ramp speed, curve warning arrow markers and ice on bridge signs. Use the green I-680 business sign to identify the loop route, and freeway end signs with amber flashers at the Oak Street and Himrod Avenue exit ramps. The sign upgrades could reduce many deadly crashes. That’s common sense.

Mahoning County should stop funding Eastgate if they are not maintaining or improving the valley’s transportation.

I question why ARP funds are not used to resurface I-680 from state Route 11 to US 224 in 2024, and why funds are not used to construct the Hubbard Expressway.

It’s the same old song and dance. Youngstown will always be the poorest city in the nation and a longstanding joke! Young people want no part of this joke. They will continue to walk away and never look back.

MARIO J. POLUSE

Youngstown